SIEGFRIED.

  Then may he start the noblest stag today!

  KRIEMHILD.

And may he miss him!  Yes, I wish it too.—­ see thou art just like my uncle, Hagen, Who, if one lays a garment by his bed, That one has made in secret, will not heed Unless perchance it is too tight.

  SIEGFRIED.

  And why?

  KRIEMHILD.

  Thou only see’st God’s and nature’s gifts
  In all that’s mine, but my own handiwork,
  The raiment that adorns me, thou see’st not—­
  Not even the fair girdle that I wear.

  SIEGFRIED.

  The girdle’s gay, and yet I’d rather wind
  About thy waist the rainbow’s lovely hue;
  Methinks that ye would suit each other well.

  KRIEMHILD.

  But bring it me at night and I will change,
  Yet do not throw it down like this I wear. 
  ’Tis but by chance I did not lose thy gift.

  SIEGFRIED.

  What sayest thou?

  KRIEMHILD.

  But for the precious stones,
  It might be underneath the table still,
  But fire is a thing one cannot hide.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Is that my gift?

  KRIEMHILD.

  It is.

  SIEGFRIED.

  But thou art dreaming!

  KRIEMHILD.

  I found it in the room.

  SIEGFRIED.

  It is thy mother’s! 
  She must have let it fall.

  KRIEMHILD.

  It is not hers! 
  For well I know her ornaments.  I thought
  It had been taken from the Niblung’s hoard;
  To give thee joy I put it on at once.

  SIEGFRIED.

  I thank thee, but the girdle I know not!

  KRIEMHILD (takes the girdle off).

  Then for my golden girdle make thou room
  Which thou concealest!  I was all attired,
  And only put it on to honor thee,
  My mother also, for this golden one
  She gave to me.

  SIEGFRIED.

  But that is very strange!—­
  ’Twas lying on the floor?

  KRIEMHILD.

  It was.

  SIEGFRIED.

  And crumpled?

  KRIEMHILD.

  I see you know it well!  The second trick
  Succeeded like the first, and now I have
  My task twice over!

  [She starts to put the girdle on again.]

  SIEGFRIED.

  No!  For God’s sake, no!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Art thou in earnest?

  SIEGFRIED (to himself).

  ’Twas with that she strove
  To tie my hands.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Art laughing?

  SIEGFRIED (to himself).

  Then I raged,
  And put forth all my strength.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Nay, thou art not?

  SIEGFRIED (to himself).

  I snatched at something.

  KRIEMHILD.